Solothurn referendum seems like practical political science
Published: Friday, Aug 16th 2024, 09:50
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On September 22, Solothurn voters will decide on two amendments to the cantonal constitution. They concern the state clerk as chief of staff of the cantonal government and buildings insurance. The two undisputed proposals seem like political science in practice.
Every amendment to the cantonal constitution must be submitted to the people of Solothurn for a decision - as stipulated in the cantonal constitution. This applies even if the issue to be put to the vote is only of interest to political insiders.
As a result, the official, eight-page "Voting Info" is reminiscent of a civics lesson: facts about procedures, legal principles and constitutional paragraphs. Everything has to be in order.
The voters are informed: The cantonal parliament elects the State Secretary for a four-year term of office. As a civil servant, he or she is also the chief of staff of the government council and the parliamentary service. However, this breaks the separation of powers between the government and parliament.
In practice, this dual function has been a "dead letter" for more than three decades, as stated in the "Voting Info". Since 1989, the Cantonal Council has had its own Council Secretary. The first consequence: the State Chancellery and Parliamentary Service are to be organizationally unbundled - so that everything runs smoothly.
Government council selects itself
The second consequence is that the government council will in future be able to select and appoint its own chief of staff. The State Secretary and the Deputy State Secretary will lose their civil servant status.
For this to be the case from next year, two articles in the constitution need to be amended. Parliament has already clearly approved the revision of the Cantonal Council Act, which is also necessary. Only the SVP parliamentary group voted against.
The cantons have different rules governing the election and appointment of the State Secretary. In 15 cantons, the government council appoints the chief of staff, in 11 cantons the parliament elects him or her.
Right of veto for building insurance
The people of Solothurn also have to vote on an amendment to the cantonal buildings insurance constitution. Hardly anything will change.
The constitution should enshrine the principle that buildings insurance can also issue regulations of a technical nature or relating to rapidly changing circumstances, as provided for in the relevant law.
If the buildings insurance goes overboard, 17 members of the cantonal council will in future be able to raise an objection within 60 days. If a majority of the council members present - the parliament has 100 members - confirm the objection, the regulations will be referred back to the buildings insurance company.
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